The update of the German Sustainability Strategy (DNS) of the federal government was published on March 10, 2021. This update of the strategy focuses on strengthening the political relevance of the DNS and its governance structure, better coordination between ministries and systematic success monitoring.
All efforts towards implementing sustainability are to be aligned with six Areas of Transformation in which progress is particularly relevant and which combine several SDGs and show their interactions.
The pandemic has increased the need for transformation at all levels and has shown the importance of civil society groups actively participating in the DNS. The new DNS seeks to take account of this concern under the heading “Sustainability as a joint effort” (Gemeinschaftswerk Nachhaltigkeit).
The parties involved in formulating this update agree that Germany must significantly pick up its pace in meeting the sustainability goals. For that reason, it is important to drive forward integration with the objectives and policies of the European Green Deal and extend its focus to other aspects of sustainability.